Manny Pacquiao Q&A: 'I Don't Feel 40 in the Ring'
Manny Pacquiao proved he still packs plenty of punch in his unanimous decision win over Adrien Broner on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao threw 568 punches to Broner’s 295 and cruised in the 12-round victory, showing he still has the speed, power and endurance to be elite (SI.com scored the fight 118-110). He might not be the fighter he once was, but at 40 years old, Pacquiao showed he’s still one of the marquee names in the sport.
SI.com’s Chris Mannix caught up with Pacquiao after his win over Broner to discuss what’s next for the Filipino legend.
SI: So—your first fight at 40. How did you feel in there?
MP: I felt fine. I don't feel 40 in the ring. I feel the same as I always did, just more experienced. The biggest difference is in training. The Jeff Horn fight [in 2017], I felt burned out in training. In the fight my mind wanted to do something, but my body was too tight. I overtrained. The last two fights, I adjusted. Sometimes when I push myself, I can't recover overnight. I have to give my body an extra day to rest.
SI: Broner was pretty upset—he thought he clearly won the fight.
MP: Maybe he was overwhelmed because he survived the 12 rounds? [Trainer] Buboy [Fernandez] kept telling me don't be too aggressive, don't be careless, take your time, it will come. Broner is a counterpuncher, but he didn't want to make any action. So I had to make adjustments to make the action.
MANNIX: Pacquiao Dispatches Broner—But Is a Bigger Fight on the Horizon?
SI: When you saw Floyd Mayweather sitting ringside, did you think he was going to get in the ring after and agree to fight you?
MP: I wasn't thinking about that. I knew he was there. He came into my dressing room before, said good luck. I'm still here in boxing. I want to fight the best fighters out there. If he cannot fight on my level, he better stay retired.
SI: When do you plan to fight again?
MP: May or June. I have to balance training with my work in the [Filipino] Senate.
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SI: How long do you want to keep fighting?
MP: I think I can fight for two or three more years. My family is very supportive. I've explained to them, my wife, my kids, my mom, this is what I love to do. I feel good, I see the doctor for regular checks.
SI: But why are you still fighting? You're a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
MP: I'm passionate about the sport. It's why I'm still here. [If I retired] I'd have no problem with money. I'm blessed by God. I just want to fight.
SI: So back to the Philippines, back to the Senate?
MP: I'll be in the office [this] week. There are a lot of bills that need to pass. We just passed the tobacco tax increase. That was very important. The government needs the extra money. I passed a bill for the protection of overseas workers. I want to start a Philippine boxing commission. We need protections, proper requirements to help fighters. I want to make ROTC mandatory. We need more soldiers. Not only for wars, but for dealing with disasters.
SI: Do you want to run for president of your country?
MP: Right now I don't have a plan to run for president. But if that comes calling, why not?
